Page 61 of When the Stars Rise
With those words, Noah pulls me closer to his side. As always, he’s trying to protect me from life’s harsh blows.
I hate that all the men in my life tiptoe around me, too afraid to tell me the truth because they think I’ll fall apart. What message am I sending that makes them feel as if they need to protect me from the truth?
I know they mean well, but it makes me angry, and it makes me feel pathetic when they treat me like I’m made of glass. Fragile and breakable.
It reminds me of that year after the accident when everyone tiptoed around me, too scared to say anything that might upset me.
Not the same situation, obviously, but it’s a similar feeling of being left out of a conversation that directly affects me.
Do they all conspire together and say, “Let’s keep this between us. No need to upset Hayley.” Considering that they all knew Jules was leaving before I did, it certainly feels that way.
I’m still stewing over it when Julian’s gaze flits between me and Noah. “So you two, huh?” I recognize it for it is—an attempt to change the subject. “You’re back together?”
“We’re not rushing into anything,” I say at the same time as Noah nods and says, “We’re back where we belong.Together.”
Noah shoots me a scowl. “We’re not rushing into anything?” he asks incredulously.
“Good call. Keep your options open,” Bastian says with a yawn as his eyes close and his arms cross over his chest like this conversation is boring him to tears.
“You’re not keeping your options open,” Noah says firmly as his arm tightens around me, and now, I’m practically in his lap. “Thereareno other options.”
It’s all I can do not to roll my eyes.
Just because we’ve had sex doesn’t mean it’s full steam ahead.
We still have all the same issues as before, and all the sex in the world won’t change that. We haven’t even discussed how things will be different this time and as much as I would love to believe that Noah has changed, I know it’s only a matter of time before he goes back to doing all the things he did before.
My gut is telling me that he’s already made plans for after this tour, but I don’t know what they are because Noah hasn’t shared them with me.
Which tells me everything I need to know. Whatever he’s planning is something I won’t like, so he’s keeping it under wraps.
Yet another piece of information withheld from me because I’m just too ‘fragile’ to handle it.
But I’m not going to push for answers or think about anything beyond the next month on the road.
As Noah always says, “Live in the moment. It’s the only thing we’re guaranteed.”
And you know what? He’s absolutely right.
From now on, I’m going to take what I want and do whatever the hell I please without worrying about the future.
I’m not a delicate flower. I’m a woman on a mission to prove that I’m stronger and more resilient than anyone gives me credit for.
There will be no more playing it safe for me. Nope. I’ll grab life with both hands and ride it for all it’s worth.
“There’s no need to slap a label on it,” I say breezily. “Let’s just have fun and live in the moment. That’s your motto, right Noah?”
Without giving Noah a chance to protest, I cross the aisle, fill my glass with champagne, and raise it in a toast.
“Here’s to new adventures and living in the moment.” I down the champagne like a frat boy pounding shots at Spring Break because…you only live once.
I refill my glass and lean over to whisper into Noah’s ear. “Wanna join the Mile High Club? Meet me in the bathroom.” I punctuate my words with an exaggerated wink and laugh at the look on his face.
“What. The. Fuck?” he mutters under his breath.
I don’t know why he looks so surprised. Not like we haven’t had sex in risky places before.
With a snicker, I saunter away and throw him a look over my shoulder, noting the smoldering look in his eyes.
